Polymeric 3D-Printed Microneedle Arrays for Non-Transdermal Drug Delivery and Diagnostics.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Microneedle arrays (MNAs) are increasingly utilized for drug delivery and diagnostics.
• Advances in 3D printing enable precise fabrication of customizable MNAs.
• Current research predominantly focuses on transdermal applications, leaving non-transdermal uses underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in 3D-printed MNAs for non-transdermal drug delivery and diagnostics.
• To explore the application of these MNAs across diverse anatomical sites.
• To identify challenges and future research directions for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies published in the last ten years.
• Categorization of research based on target non-transdermal delivery sites (e.g., brain, CNS, oral cavity, eyes, GI tract, cardiovascular, reproductive systems).
• Analysis of material, manufacturing, and application-specific findings.

Main Results:

• 3D-printed MNAs demonstrate significant adaptability for non-transdermal applications, surpassing traditional skin-based delivery.
• Successful applications demonstrated in various organs and systems, including the brain, oral cavity, and gastrointestinal tract.
• Polymeric MNAs show promise for targeted drug delivery and diagnostics in non-transdermal routes.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printed MNAs present a versatile platform for non-transdermal drug delivery and diagnostics.
• Further research is crucial to address material science, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory hurdles for clinical adoption.
• Non-transdermal applications of MNAs hold substantial potential for novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.